18 of the best things to do in Split, Croatia

Split Travel Guide: Things to do in Split, Croatia

Split is a lively city in Croatia, with great nightlife and plenty to do.

While many people view it as a popular party destination for young adults looking for good nightlife, Split has so much more to it than just being a great place to party.

From the stunning beaches to its UNESCO World Heritage site Old Town, as well as easy access to many of Croatia’s islands, and plenty of adrenaline-pumping activities. Split is a great option to base for your trip to Croatia, regardless of what you’re looking for.

This guide to travelling Split and its surrounding areas will break down all the best activities to add to your Split Itinerary as well as various day trips from Split, so you can make the most of your visit to Croatia.

18 of the best things to do in Split

Bačvice Beach

Bačvice Beach is a popular beach located right near Split city centre. Bačvice Beach is one of the few sandy beaches in Croatia, although also has a large concrete area where you’ll find many more sun loungers, beach bars and other facilities.

Bačvice Beach is a great place for people who are looking to cool down in the sea after exploring Split centre, with pool ladders directly from the concrete areas into the sea, combined with the shallow waters, it’s a great place to take a dip to cool off or chuck a ball around with friends.

Due to its proximity to Split, Bačvice Beach is quite a popular option for many visitors, so expect this area to be busier than other beaches further out. Arrive earlier in the day if you want to secure a good spot, especially if you’re planning on staying in the sandy area as opposed to the concrete area.

Due to the shallow waters and plenty of facilities in the area, it’s also a great choice for families with young children.

Bačvice Beach Concrete Area

This city beach isn’t the most scenic compared to other nearby beaches, such as Kasjuni Beach, but it is a great option if you’re looking for somewhere convenient in terms of proximity to Split.

You will need to pay for sun loungers and typically these aren’t cheap, often setting you back around €25.

If you stay into the evening, you’ll find many restaurants and nightclubs in the area for dinner and drinks.

Kasjuni Beach

Kasjuni Beach is about a 50-minute walk, or a 15-minute drive from Split City Centre.

A rocky beach with relatively calm waters, Kasjuni offers a more peaceful and rural feel than Bačvice Beach, which is closer to the centre of Split.

Kasjuni still offers a great atmosphere, while it’s generally less crowded Bačvice Beach, it’s still a popular option in the area, and it’s popular for a good reason!  

Kasjuni is great for swimming in the beautiful, crystal-clear water. The water is pretty shallow which can be a great option for families with young children.

Kasjuni Beach

Kasjuni is also great for sunbathing, as you’ll find plenty of options to rent loungers from the beach bars located on the beach, as well as plenty of space to lay out your own towel. Keep in mind, this is a rocky beach, unlike Bačvice.

However, Kasjuni is generally a lot cleaner, better maintained and offers much more breathtaking scenery as well as clearer water compared to Bačvice Beach. While I enjoyed both, my preference was definitely Kasjuni.

There is parking immediately next to the beach, so if you’re driving you won’t need to do a lot of walking to and from the car, which can be super convenient.

While there are beach bars around, some of them have high payment thresholds to be able to pay by card, so make sure you have cash with you. Due to its more rural location, there aren’t as many facilities in comparison to Bačvice Beach, which is nearer the city. So make sure you arrive prepared.

Forest Park Marjan

Forest Park Marjan, also referred to as the ‘lungs of the city’, is a huge forest & park just outside of Split City Centre.

Forest Park Marjan is a favourite amongst locals and tourists, for hiking, rock climbing, biking and swimming.

To get some of the best views over Split, you can climb up to the Telegrin peak, a small hike which includes 314 steps, but rewards you with beautiful panoramic views over the city once you’re at the top.

If you don’t fancy the hike, especially if you’re going in the heat, then the Split Tourist Train can take you to the top! This costs approximately €15. Once you’re in Split, you’ll likely see the train semi-frequently, and the latest schedule is usually posted on the side of the train.

There’s so much to see in the area, including churches, caves, botanical gardens, museums, and a Jewish cemetery. You’ll also find the previously mentioned Kasjuni Beach right on the edge of Forest Park Marjan.

Remember this is quite a walk, especially if you’re visiting in the heat, so always come prepared with the right walking shoes and bring water to stay hydrated.

Forest Park Marjan, Split

Illuminated Kayak or Paddleboard Tour

If you’re looking for a unique nighttime experience in Split, why not try an illuminated kayak or SUP tour? These tours take place at a campsite a short drive outside of Split. You do not need to be staying at the campsite to book onto the tours, as the tour operators will happily pick you up from Split town and back again once the tour is over.

Doing the illuminated kayaking tour was one of my favourite experiences I did in Split. The tour begins on a private beach at the campsite. You will go through a safety briefing before getting in your kayak and heading out into the sea. The guides will follow along as you head partway down the river before it gets too shallow.

Once you’re as far as you can go, there will be a short break and photo opportunities, before heading back towards the sea, stopping for some star grazing and more photos, and then heading back to the beach.

Illuminated Kayak Tour Split

The whole tour takes around 1.5-2 hours and is such a unique nighttime experience to do while you’re in Split.

To make these tours the best they can be, the tour operators only take small groups out each night, which does mean this tends to get fully booked (especially during peak season). So, if this is something you’re wanting to do, then you’ll want to book in advance.

Tip: If your date is already fully booked, don’t worry – they often will put on a second session later if there is enough demand. In order to get a space, it’s best to keep checking to tour operator page every day

Find Illuminated Kayak and Paddleboard Tours in Split

Explore Old Town

It’s probably impossible to visit Split without exploring the Old Town. Split’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a beautiful location full of Roman history, with the main attraction being Diocletian’s Palace.

It’s always a good idea to let yourself get lost and explore the side streets – you never know what you’ll come across when you’re least looking for it.

If you’re looking for something a little more organised, then why not try a walking tour?

Climb the Bell Tower of St. Domnius

As part of Split’s Old Town, you’ll find the Saint Domnius Bell Tower. This offers a great viewpoint over Split for just €7.

The Saint Domnius Bell Tower is open from 8am until 4pm Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays. Plan accordingly to ensure you fit this into your schedule.

Tickets can be purchased across from the tower.

Bell Tower of St. Domnius

Diocletian Palace

Diocletian Palace is one of the best preserved monuments of Roman architecture in the world. If you’re interested in history and architecture, you’re going to want to have this on your list to visit while you’re in Spit.

You’ll find Diocletian Palace within Split’s Old Town and will find that this is a key attraction as part of a lot of walking tours. Joining a walking tour isn’t necessary if you wish to explore yourself.

If a walking tour does take your fancy, then why not check out these walking tours that include Diocletian Palace? If you’re visiting during peak season, keep in mind that some of these tours do tend to get booked up. Try to book in advance to secure your spot.

Island Hopping Tour

If you’re looking for the ultimate day trip from Split, then you need to check out the islands tours. Split is conveniently located near so many incredible islands, with beautiful beaches, incredible history and welcoming people.

There are various ways you can visit islands, you could visit via ferry, private water taxi, or if you wish to explore multiple islands in a day then it’s best to join an island tour with a guide who will take you straight to all the key towns, beaches, attractions and diving/ snorkelling areas.

Island tours are best for people who like to visit the beach, as there are often various beach or swim stops throughout most tours.

Zaglav Beach

The tour I did covered the Blue Cave on Bisevo Island; the fishing village of Komiža which is located on the island of Vis (home to some of the filming locations of Mama Mia 2!). It also covered various caves, swimming spots and historical areas along the Vis coastline, including the military base of Raketna baza Stupišće, the Limestone Caves, and Stiniva Cove Beach.

Our guide then took us to the Budihovac islands to see the Blue Lagoon, as well as some of their recommendations which included the Zaglav Beach back on the island of Vis – which is a much quieter alternative to the Blue Lagoon on the opposite facing Budihovac islands.

Finally, we got beautiful views of the Pakleni Islands, as we sailed to Hvar City and spent 2.5 hours exploring and eating our way around Hvar, as well as a visit to the nearby Bonj Beach.  

Hula-Hula Hvar

Island Hopping Boat Tours from Split:

Take the ferry to Brač Island

If you don’t fancy a private boat tour, then getting the ferry is a great option to island hop. The easiest island to visit from Split is the Island of Brač.

Two main ports offer direct ferries from Split, Supetar and Bol.

If you only have the option of one day trip to Brač from Split, then I’d recommend choosing Bol.

Bol is home to the famous Zlatni Rat Beach, also known as the Golden Horn. This is commonly rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the entirety of Croatia, and having visited myself, I definitely understand why!

Zlatni Rat Beach and Bol offer so many water activities, including inflatable aqua parks, Jet skis, wind surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, boat rental, pedalo, scuba diving and underwater museums.

It also offers archery, beach volleyball, as well as having a street-side gym. There is PLENTY to do to keep you entertained for days, let alone a day visit.

The walk to/from Bol to Zlatni Rat takes around 30 minutes and there’s so much to see on the way, from beautiful views, shops and restaurants. If you don’t fancy the walk both ways, then I’d recommend getting a taxi or Bolt straight from Bol to Zlatni Rat, the drive takes approximately 12 minutes. Enjoy your day at the beach & surrounding areas and then leave enough time to make the walk back to Bol from the beach. You can get a taxi back to Bol port if you wish, but you’ll be missing out on a lot of opportunities for great street food, ice creams, shops to explore and additional activities along the path.

The ferry from Split to Bol takes approximately  1 hour and 10 minutes.

If you’d prefer to explore the island’s main town of Supetar, then the ferry from Split will take you approximately 50 minutes.

Supetar is a vibrant town with a lively atmosphere, commonly referred to as the ‘Super Star’ of Croatia. It is also home to a few small beaches nearby which can be great to visit on a day trip. They have inflatable aquaparks, beautiful viewing points, and historical landmarks to discover as you explore.  

I’d recommend booking the ferry tickets in advance. There are a number of websites and apps you can use to book these. I found Ferry Hopper the easiest to use to compare different ferry lines and times. 

Zip Wire

If you’re after that adrenaline rush, Croatia is a great country for you. With so many adventurous, adrenaline-pumping activities, which are hugely popular for many travellers, including Zip Line Split.

Zip Line split offers 3 hours of zip-lining fun, across 6 zip wires with short hikes in between each one.

In total you’ll zip a length of 2,500 meters across the 6 zip wires. The longest line stretches 800 meters and provides breathtaking views of Dalmatia inland and the Adriatic Sea.

Zip Wire Split is actually located a short drive out of Split. However they do offer transfers from Split if you wish to include that onto your booking. If you’re renting a car, you’ll be able to drive there yourself.

If you don’t have access to a car then Split is well connected with Bolt and Uber to be able to provide pick up and drop-off. Make sure you plan accordingly.

Tip: ensure you come prepared for activities such as this. Zip Line Split states they require people to wear closed toe shoes which are suitable for the short hikes between each zip wire.

Zip Line in Split:

Tuk-Tuk Tour

Another interesting way to explore Split is via a Tuk-Tuk tour. Hop on a tuk-tuk and have a licenced guide take you around Splits main landmarks with great views of the area along the way.

Split has many tuk-tuks around and typically you’ll be able to pay to jump in one there and then should you decide to spontaneously do the tour when you see one. Commonly, you’ll find them located near the taxi drop-off points at the end of the main promenade.

If you do wish to book in advance, then a few tours will let you do so.

Tuk-Tuk Tours in Split:

Boat Party

While Split is so much more than the party scene it has to offer, it would be wrong not to mention it at all.

Split is home to a number of popular clubs, and bars including Charlie’s Bar, Cozzies Open Bar, Central the Club, and many more.

Another popular party activity in Split are the boat parties, whether you’re drinking the night away on a docked up boat at the port, or actually sailing around the coast, Split boat parties are hugely popular.

Boat Parties in Split:

Quad Bugy Tour

If you want something a bit more of an adrenaline rush than a tuk-tuk tour, a quad buggy tour might be the one for you.  

Finding the right Quad Buggy tour depends on what you’re looking for. Some tours combine the quad buggy experience with different things, such as stopping at waterfalls and beaches for swim stops, others might focus on nature and animal experiences.

Quad Buggy Tours in Split:

River Tubing

Croatia is one of the best European destinations for water-based adventure activities, which includes tubing on the Cetina River.

If you’re looking to escape the city and do something a bit more adventurous, then why not try river tubing?  Float lazy river style through the calm parts of the Cetina river, as well as chase the adrenaline rush when going through the small rapids, as well as around waterfalls and lakes.

River Tubing in Split:

River Rafting

With more adrenaline-rush activities, river rafting has to be mentioned. A popular activity for thrill seekers in Croatia, crash through the rapids as you descend down the river. Many of the river rafting tours offer experiences to go swimming in waterfalls, cliff jumping and cave exploring as well.

Take a look at some of the different options based in Split, with a pick-up from Split available.   

River Rafting in Split:

Canyoning

The Cetina River is also another popular spot for canyoning.

Grab your lifejacket and helmet and head off the beaten path of exploring Split City Centre, and head over to the Cetina River. Climb over rocks, explore waterfalls and pools in the canyon of the Cetina River. Cool off by swimming in the clear water.

Canyoning Experiences from Split:

Tip: With activities like this, always ensure you come prepared and pack accordingly for your trip to include appropriate gear, such as trainers.

Krka National Park

Krka National Park is famous for a series of 7 waterfalls and beautiful nature trails. This is a must-see on a visit to Croatia.

Krka is a little while outside of Split, around a 55-minute drive. If you are renting a car, then you’ll be able to drive there yourself.  There are a few car parks with the Lozovac entrance offering free parking for visitors. The Skradin entrance also provides parking, but it’s privately owned, so there will be a charge.

However, there are plenty of tours that will pick you up from Split and drive you to the park, offer a guided tour around the park and drop you back.

There are plenty of ways to explore the Krka National Park, from boat cruises around the waterfalls, to walking around the nature trails – you can even swim in designated areas of the national park so make sure to pack some swimming gear and a towel!

Trips to Krka National Park from Split:

Plitvice Lakes

Another popular national park in Croatia that’s well worth visiting is the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest and the largest national park in the Republic of Croatia.

The park spans an impressive 295 sq.-km forest reserve, located in central Croatia, around a 2.5 – 3 hour drive from Split.

The Plitvice Lakes National Mark is known for a chain of 16 terraced lakes, which are joined by waterfalls, and also extend into a limestone canyon.

Walkways and hiking trails wind around and across the water, boasting breathtaking views.

You can even get an electric boat which links the 12 upper and 4 lower lakes.

The Plitvice Lakes are a bit of a trek outside of Split, but are still an extremely popular destination to visit.

If you have a car and are planning to drive yourself, there is a car park located at both Entrance 1 and Entrance 2, with Entrance 1 offering a larger parking area.

However, if you don’t fancy the 3-hour drive each way, then you could hop on a guided tour that will pick you up and drop you off in Split.

Trips to Plitvice Lakes from Split:

Split, Croatia FAQ

What currency is used in Croatia?

Croatia uses the euro as of January 2023. The euro is the only currency that can be used in Croatia.

Is Split worth visiting for tourists?

Split is a great destination in Croatia to visit for tourists. There are plenty of beaches, sites to see, as well as it being a great place to base for day trips to the islands.

Is 3 days in Split enough?

Three days in Split is enough to explore the old town, see some of the nearby beaches and explore some of Forest Park Marjan. If you’d like to do day trips elsewhere to the islands then you might want to stay for longer. 

Is Split a walkable city?

Split is a walkable city, head to the Riva for drinks and restaurants by the waterside, explore Old Town, or take a walk over to Forest Park Marjan and Kasjuni Beach.  

Is Split safe?

Croatia is a country with low crime levels and violent crime is rare. Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, is generally considered a safe area to visit. The most common crimes are pickpocketing or tourist scams.

Can you go to the beach in Split?

Yes, Split is home to multiple beaches. Bačvice Beach is a popular sandy beach within the city centre. Kasjuni Beach is another popular shingle beach, which is just outside of the centre.